Container and sealing means therefor



Feb. 16, 1932.

J. F. FETTERLY 1,845,082

I I CONTAINER AND SEALING MEANS THEREFOR Filed May 17, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l Anvavars Feb. 16, 1932. J. F. FETTERLY CONTAINER AND SEALING MEANS THEREFOR Filed May 17, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' ATTOE/VEKF Patented Feb. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN F. FETTERLY, OF ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE DRAPER MANUFAC- TURING COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO CONTAINER AND SEALING MEANS THEREFOR Application filed May 17, 1930. Serial No. 453,236.

The invention relates to containers such as metallic barrels, drums and the like, utilized for containing industrial alcohol, oil, grease, and the like, which containers are formed with bung openings providing means for en tering or withdrawing fluid material into or from the container.

Plug means are commonly provided for the bung openings of such containers, which are commonly sealed by the usual wire and lead sealconstruotion known in all the arts. Such wire and lead seal sealing means are so common that many persons have access to the same, and it has been found that barrels l5 or drums containing alcohol, oil, grease and the like frequently have their bung opening seal broken, and the contents partly or en tirely drained oft' the container may then be refilled by the thief with water or other mate- O rial whereupon a new wire and lead seal is provided for the bung opening plug. Such theft of contents does notbecome apparent for some while after the theft has occurred because there is no visible sign of the theft having taken pl ace.

It has therefore been proposed that a non-. refillable container be provided which in cludes means for preventing undetectable access to, and removal of, such plugs. Certain constructions have been suggested for guarding against undetected opening of or removal of the plugs by providing a supplemental cover for the. plug which entirely encloses the plug and which must be removed so as to give-a visible sign of removal, before the plug can be removed.

Other means have been suggested including the provision of a plug with a usual tumbler key lock which ordinarily seals the container against theft but which does not give a visible or detectable sign of theft if the lock is picked.

Other means have been suggested for preventing theft which includes providing means on the plug for mutilating or destroying the bung or bung threads upon removal of the plug so that the plug cannot then again be inserted, thus providing a visible or detectable sign that the container has been opened.

All of these prior constructions are impractical from a commercial standpoint because they damage the container so as to prevent subsequent use thereof, or they have a prohibitive cost of manufacture, or their character is such that a liquid seal between the plug and hung openingcannot be properly effected.

One of the objects of the present invention is therefore to provide a container bung opening and plug construction in which the plug is automatically locked to the container upon being assembled therewith. Another object of the present invention is to provide theft sealing means for the plug which must be mutilated or destroyed before the contents of the container maybe drawn ofi through the bung opening, or before the plug can be removed.

The provision of such a construction results in a container which is substantially nonaefillable, and it is therefore a further object of the present invention to provide means for releasing the plug from its locked relation with the bung ring after the theft sealing means has been mutilated or destroyed so that a new theft sealed plug may be inserted into the bung opening in order that the container may again be used by authorized persons, thus giving a salvage value to the non-refillable theft proof container.

These and other objects may be obtained by providing a construction, preferred embodiments of which are hereinafter set forth in detail, which may be stated in general terms as including a container having a bung opening formed in one wall thereof, plug means for the bung opening, means automatically locking the plug to the bung opening upon assembling the plug in sealing relation with the bung opening, destructible means carried by the plug enclosing the automatic means, for preventing access to the automatic means without destruction of the destructible means, the automatic means being so constructed as to permit withdrawal of the plug upon destruction of the destructible means.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in. the drawings, forming part of the specification in which- Figure 1 is a section through a container wall having a hung opening closed by one form of the improved theft sealed plug; Y

Fig. 2 is a section similar to Fig. 1 showing the plug of Fig. 1 being assembled in the bung ring of the bung opening;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the improved plug shown in Fig. 1; y

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the plug shown in Fig. 1 detached from the container;

Fig. 5 is a section through the improved plug, taken on the line 55, Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 1 showing the theft seal broken and showing, diagrammatically, means for releasing the automatic plug lock;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a modified form of construction Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the modified form of plug shown in Fig. 7 showing the same being threaded into the bung opening bushing ring;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the modified form of plug shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view through the modified form of plug shown in Fig. 7, taken on the line 1010, Fig. 7;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a still further modification of the improved bung ring and plug construction;

Fig. 12 is a section of the'modified form of plug shown in Fig. 11, taken on the line 1212, Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 1 showing a still further modified form of the improved plug.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the various figures in the drawings.

Referrin first to the embodiment of the invention s own in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the container, such as a barrel or drum, has one wall 20 thereof formed with an opening 21 in which is received the interiorly threaded bung ring bushing 22 having a lower surface 23. The bushing 22 may be connected in liquid sealing relation with the wall 20 in any suitable and well known manner. 1

An exteriorly threaded closure plug gener ally indicated at 24 may be screwed within the bushing 22 and is formed at its outer end with a preferably hexagonally shaped circum'scribing flange 25 to receive a wrench for screwing or unscrewing. The flange 25 laps the bushing 22 and wall 20, and an annular sealing gasket 26 is preferably interposed between the flange 25 and bushing 22 so as to provide a liquid or fluid tight seal thereetween.

The plu 24 is provided with an annular portion 27 epending below the threaded portion thereof and below the lower surface 23 of the bushing 22 when the plug is in assembled relation with the bushing as shown in Fig. 1. Two preferably opposed lock openings 28 are provided in the annular portion 27 for receiving internal locking plungers 29 operable at the inner end of the plug and connected together by the spring member 30 for spring pressing the plungers 29 radially out wardly through the openings 28.

After the container is filled, the plug 24 is assembled in sealing relation with the bushing 22, the plungers 29 being depressed within the openings 28 so that the annular portion 27 may be inserted into the threaded opening of the bushing 22, whereupon the plug 24 may be screwed into the bushing 22, the plungers 28 riding along the bushing threads as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

As the plug approaches the position in which the joint between the same and the bushing 22 will be sealed by the annular sealing ring 26, the plungers 29 will be automatically outwardly spring pressed to the position shown in Fig. 1, whereupon the plug may be screwed down tightly in sealing relation with thebushing 22 and sealing gasket 26. As shown in Fig. 1, the plungers 29 normally project outwardly from the plug 24 to a position where they will engage the under surface 23 of the bushing 22 to lock the plug to the container walls and to prevent removal of the plug if any attempt is made to unscrew the plug.

The plug 24 is preferably generally tubularly shaped so as to include a through opening 31 for permitting access to the spring pressed lockingv plungers 29. The through opening 31 is closed by a frangible theft proof disk closure partition member 32, which has its annular rim located or seated in a liquid tight manner in the annular recess 33 of the plug 24. Thus, the disk member 32 encloses the locking plungers 29 and normally prevents access to the same when the plug is assembled in the bung ring as shown in Fig. 1. However, upon mutilating.

or destroying the disk member 32, access to the locking plungers may be had without damage tothe plug per se, or to the bung ring.

In order to remove the plug 24, or in order to gain access to the contents of the container, the disk 32 must be mutilated or destroyed as shown at 32a in Fig. 6, whereupon atool 34, indicated diagrammatically in dot-dash lines in Fig. 6, may be inserted through the opening 31' and engaged by its pins 34a and 346 with the spring 30 for retracting the plungers 29 to a position such as shown in Fig.2 so that the plug 24 may be unscrewed and removed.

The above removal of the plug by an authorized person permits withdrawal of the contents of the container and a subsequent use of the container by refilling the same and by inserting a new plug 24 provided with un- If it happens that some unauthorized person attempts to gain access to the contents of the container, the disk theft seal 32 must be mutilated as shown at 32a in order that the contents of the container may be drawn oil", and such mutilation gives a visible or detectable sign of the fact that the contents of the container has been tampered with and prevents refilling and closing of the container.

Of course it must be understood that if the unauthorized person has new plugs 24 in his or her possession, the container could be 'refilled following theft of contents without giving a visible signal that the contents of the container had been tampered with; but it is likewise understood that the tactics of unscrupulous persons who would provide themselves with a complete line of different sizes of plugs cannot be coped with in any manner by any person.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive, the container, such as a barrel or drum, has one wall 20 thereof provided with an opening 21 in which is received the interiorly threaded bung ring bushing 22, having a lower surface 23, and the bushing 22 may be connected in liquid sealing relation with the wall 20 in any suitable and well known manner.

An exteriorly threaded closure plug generally indicated at 40 may be screwed within the bushing 22 andis formed with a preferably hexagonally shaped circumscribing flange 41 to receive a wrench for screwing or unscrewing. The flange 41 laps the Bushing 22 and wall 20, and an annular sealingv gasket 26 is preferably interposed between the flange 41 and bushing 22 so as to provide a liquid or fluid tight seal therebetween.

The plug 40 is provided with an annular. portion 42 depending below the threaded portion thereof and below the lower surface 23 of the bushing 22 when the plug is in assembled relation with the bushing as shown in Fig. 7.

i The annular portion 42 is preferably provided with a peripheral groove 43 for receiving the discontinuous spring locking ring 44 which normally springs to the position shown in Figs. 7 and 10 of the drawings.

After the container is filled, the plug 40 is assembled in connection within the bushing 22, the spring locking ring 44 being depressed with the annular groove 43 so that the annular portion 42 may be inserted in the threaded opening of the bushing 22, whereupon the plug 40 may be screwed into the bushing 22, the spring ring riding along'the bushing threads as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings. 7

As the plug 40 approaches the position in which the joint between the same and the bushing 22 will be sealed by the annular sealing 45. A destructible theft proof infi ring 26, the spring ring 44 will automatica yspring outwardly to the position shown in 1 g. 7 where the same will engage the under surface 23 of the bushing 22 to prevent removal of the made to unscrew the has thus locked the plug against removal, the plug may then be screwed down tightly plug if an attempt is 1n sealing relation with the bushing 22 and sealing ring 26. g

For permitting access to the contents of the container, the plug 40 is generally tubularly shaped so as to include a through opendisk member 46 is provided for the through opening 45 and has its rim located in the recess 47 provided in the plug 40, so that the disk member 46 closes the opening 45 and prevents access to the container, except upon destruction of the disk.

In order to gain access to the contents of the container, the disk 46 must be mutilated or destroyed, whereupon the contents of the container may be drawn off, the mutilation of the disk 46 giving a visible sign of the fact that the contents of the container has been tampered with, and preventing refilling and closing of the container.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the container, such as a barrel or drum, has one wall 20 thereof provided with an opening 21 in plug. After the ring 44 which is received the interiorly threaded bung ring bushing 22a having a depending annular portion 50, and the bushing 22a may be'connected in liquid sealing relation with the wall 20in any suitable and well known manner. An exteriorly threaded closure plug generally indicated at 51 may be screwed within the bushing 22a and is formed with a pref-' erably hexagonally shaped circumscrlbing .flange 52 to receive a wrench for screwing and unscrewing. The flange 52 laps the bushing 22a, and an annular sealing gasket 26 is preferably interposed between the flange 52 and bushing 220 so as to'provide a liquid or fluidtight seal therebetween.

The plug 51- is provided with an annular portion 53 depending below the threaded portion thereof and having a peripheral groove 54 formed therein.

Two preferably opposed lock openings 55 are provided in the depending portion 50 of the bushing 22a for receiving locking plungers 56 secured in any suitable manner to the leaf springs 57 which may be attached to the depending portion 50, at 58.

After the container is filled, the plug 51 is is made to unscrew the plug. The plug may then be screwed down tightly in sealing relation with the bushing 22a and sealing ring 26.

For permitting access to the contents of the container, the plug 51 is generally tubularly shaped so as to include a through opening A destructible theft proof disk member 61 is provided for closing the through opening 60 and has its'rim located in the recess 62 provided in the plug 51, so that the disk member 61 closes the opening 60 and prevents access to the container, except upon destruction of the disk.

In order to gain access to the contents of the container, the disk 61 must be mutilated or destroyed, whereupon the contents of the container may be drawn off, the mutilation of the disk 61 giving a visible sign of the fact that the contents of the container has been tampered with and preventing refilling and closing of the container.

I Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 13, the container, such as a barrel or drum, has one wall 20 thereof provided with an opening 21, in which is received the interiorly threaded bung ring bushing 226, provided with a depending annular portion 70, and the bushing 22b may be connected in liquid sealing relation with the wall 20 in any-suitable and well known manner.

An exteriorly threaded closure plug generally indicated at 71 may be screwed within the bushing-22b and is formed with a prefer- :ably hexagonally shaped circumscribed flange 72 to receive a wrench for screwing or unscrewing. The flange 72 laps the bushing 22b, and an annular sealing gasket 26 is preferably interposed between the flange 72 and bushing 22?) so as to provide a liquid or fluid tight seal therebetween.

The plug 71 is provided with an annular portion 73 depending below the threaded portion therof and having an annular groove 74 formed therein.

The depending portion of the bushing After the container is filled, the plug 71 is assembled in sealing relation with the bushing 226, the spring locking ring 76 being carried either 1n the groove 7 4 or 75 and is depressed in either of said grooves so that the annular portion 7 3 may be inserted in the threaded opening of the bushing 226, whereupon the plug 71 may be screwed into the bushing 22?).

As the plug approaches the position in which the joint between the same and the bushing 226 will be sealed by the annular sealing ring 26, the spring ring 76 will automatically spring to the position shown in Fig. 13 where the same will be engaged in both grooves 74 and 75 so as to prevent removal of the plug if an attempt is made to unscrew the plug. The plug may then be screwed down tightly in sealed relation with the bushing 22b and sealing ring 26.

For permitting access to the contents of the container, the plug 71 is generally tubularly shaped so as to include a through opening 77. A destructible theft proof disk member 78 is provided for the through opening 77 and has its rim located in the plug recess 79 in a liquid tight manner, so that the disk member 78 closes the opening 77 and prevents access to the container, except upon destruction of the disk.

In order to gain access to the contents of the container, the disk 78 must be mutilated or destroyed whereupon the contents of the container may be drawn off, the mutilation of the disk 7 8 giving a visible sign of the fact that the contents of the container has been tampered with, and preventing refilling and closing of the container.

Although the locking devices in the various modified forms of construction shown in Figs. 7 to 13 inclusive, are not as readily adapted for unlocking to permit withdrawal of the plug following mutilation or destruction of the theft seal disk, nevertheless the various looking members may be retracted so that the various plugs may be withdrawn.

Accordingly the theft proof sealing disks shown in Figs. 7 to 13, inclusive, effectively enclose the automatic locking means to prevent unlocking of the same excepting after a'time when the sealing disks have been mutilated or destroyed.

In referring to the disks or partitions 32, 46, 61 and 78 herein as being frangible, it is not intended to limit the same to be made of material which will merely shatter or splinter. The term frangible partition refers to a member made of material which may be readily or easily deformed, distorted, displaced or broken through without damaging the tubular plug member 24, 40, 51 or 71, for which the partition normally provides a closure, so as to provide for ready access to the plug member internal lock.

I claim:

1. In container closure construction including walls forming a hung opening, a tubular plug for the bung opening, internal locking means for locking the plug to the walls upon insertion of the plug in 'the openin and a frangible closure partition mounte in the tubular plug enclosing the locking means, whereby the partition normally forms a closure for the plug and whereby deformation of the partition permits access to the locking means without damage to the plug.

2. In container closure construction including walls forming a hung opening, a tubular plug for the bung opening, inter nal locking means for automatically locking the plug to the walls upon insertion of the plug in the opening, and a frangible closure partition mounted is the tubular plug enclosing the locking means, whereby the partition normally forms a closure for the plug and whereby deformation of the partition permits access tothe locking means without damage to the plug.

3. In container closure construction including walls forming a bung opening, a tubular plug for the bung opening having an internal lock for automatically locking the plug to the walls upon insertion of theplug in the opening, and a frangible closure partition mounted in the tubular plug enclosing the lock, whereby the partition normally forms a closure for the plug and whereby deforma tion of the partition permits access to the lock Without damage to the plug.

4. In container closure construction including walls forming a bung opening, a tubular P plug for the bung opening, spring locking means for automatically locking the plug to the walls upon insertion of the plug in the opening, and a frangible closure partition mounted in the tubular plug enclosing the locking means rendering the same inaccessible when the plug is locked to the container walls, whereby the partition normally forms a closure for the plug and whereby deformation of the partition permits access to the locking means without damage to the plug.

5. In container closure construction including a bung ring, a tubular plug for the bung ring, locking means automatically positioned to cooperate with the plug and ring to lock the plug in the ring upon insertion of the plug in the ring, and a frangible closure partition mounted in the tubular plug enclosing the locking means rendering the same inaccessible when the plug is locked in the ring, whereby the partition normally forms a elo' sure for the plug and whereby deformation of the partition permits access to the locln'ng means without damage to the plug.

6. In container closure construction, a bung ring, a tubular plug for the bung ring, looking means carried by the plug automatically positioned to cooperate with the plug and ring to lock the plug in the ring upon insertion of the plug in the ring, and a frangible closure partition mounted in the tubular plug enclosing the locking means rendering the same inaccessible when the plug is lockedin the ring, whereby the partition normally forms a closure for the plug and whereby deformation of the partition permits access to the locking means without damage to the lug.

7. In container closure construction, a bung ring, a tubular plug for the bung ring, look ing means carried-by the bung ring automatically positioned to cooperate with the plug and ring to lock the plug in the ring upon insertion of the plug in the ring, and a frangible closure partition mounted in the tubular plug enclosing the lockin means rendering the same inaccessible w en the plug is locked in the ring, whereby the partition normally forms a closure for the plug and whereby deformation of the partition permits access to the locking means without damage to the plug.

8. In container closure construction including walls forming a hung opening, a tubular plug for the bung opening, internal locking means for locking the plug to the walls upon insertion of the plug in the opening, there being an annular recess in the tubular plug, an a frangible closure partition seated in the recess of the tubular plug enclosing the looking means, whereby the partition'normally forms a closure for the plug and whereby deformation of the partition permits access to the locking means without damage to the lug.

9. In container closure construction including walls forming a hung opening, a tubular plug for the bung opening having an inner and. outer end, releasable internal locking means operable at the inner end of the plug for locking the plug to the walls upon insertion of the plug in the opening, and a frangible closure partition mounted in the tubular plug interposed between said releasable means and'the outer end of the plug enclosing the locking means, whereby the partition Eormally forms a closure for the plug, where- .V cess to the locking means without damage to the plug and whereby the locking means may be released upon deformation of the partition.

In testimony that I claim the above, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JOHN F. FETTERLY.

deformation of the partition permits ac- 

